Gray Clouds

Chapter 4 - Deal With the Angel.

TW: PHYSICAL ABUSE (NOW ADDED TO LIST IN PROLOGUE)

"No. Absolutely not." Eli flatly declined. "You do realise how difficult it is for composers to make money?"

"Doesn't mean it's impossible!" Gray pointed to the headphones. "You're quite a talented little human. You could make video game OSTs, like you said!"

"But like I said, I'm not even that good at it!" Eli huffed irritably, shaking his head in dismissal.

Gray groaned. "Oh my God, you're the most miserable little human ever! Can't you have some positivity?"

"It's difficult when my entire life sucks." Eli mumbled. Gray narrowed his eyes, unimpressed, as Eli proved the angel's point.

Gray sighed, his feathers ruffling. "Just give it a try... You won't know what'll happen until you try!"

"Plus," Gray leaned forward, grinning. "Not knowing what'll happen in the future is fun! Don't you think so?"

"...No."

"Boring." Gray rolled his eyes. Then, his wings suddenly raised, nearly knocking the desk over. "I have an idea!"

"And that is...?" Eli asked, skeptical of Gray's idea before he even said it.

"Let's make a deal." Gray proposed, leaning on the desk and pointing to the monitor. "You publish this song to the internet, make a YouTube account or whatever. If it gets recognised or becomes popular in a week, you continue this gig if you enjoy it. If not, then I get to do whatever you want me to do for a day."

Eli sat in his seat, curled up into a ball in contemplation. Both outcomes seemed pretty good. If his song blew up, he could actually have a viable job opportunity. If not, then he could just tell Gray to leave so that he could just end it. Either way, he got what he wanted. Not much of a deal if I win no matter what I do, Eli thought. Is this how angels usually make deals?

"Fine." Eli finally said, holding his hand out. "It's a deal."

Gray smirked, shaking his hand. "I knew you could be a reasonable little human."

"Stop calling me that." Eli huffed irritably.

"What? Little human?" Gray asked, amusement written all over his face. "What should I call you then?"

"My name? Eli?" Eli reminded gruffly, downloading his song into a file.

"Too boring. I like nicknames." Gray complained, cocking his head to the side like a curious dog. "Hm... Little human was quite good, but I guess it's a little condescending. Let's see..."

"How about... Starboy?" Gray suggested smugly, one hand escaping his pocket to snap his fingers in triumph.

"...What." Eli muttered.

"I'm referring to the hoodie you wore last night," Gray reminded as if he was stating the obvious. "It had a star on it, and we met at night. Also, it's the name of a song, and you make music, so it suits you."

"No." Eli shook his head.

"What about Sad face?"

"No."

"Short king."

"Absolutely not."

"Sir Pessimi-"

"Fine! Just stick with Starboy!" Eli groaned. He thought he was going to lock the angel out of his house if he heard him list dumb nicknames for one more second. "You didn't have to give me a damn nickname anyway..."

"I give nicknames to everyone. I even gave some to your parents while I passed them by on the way to the neighbour's." Gray chuckled. "Your mother's nickname is Foulmouth, and your father's nickname is Stilts, because seriously, your father is freakishly tall."